Abstract/Description

As a result of cooperation between the Dutch Government and the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in theSahel (CILSS) a Crop Protection Training Project (DFPV) was established in Niger. Initially known as the Department ofTraining...

Notes

As a result of cooperation between the Dutch Government and the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the
Sahel (CILSS) a Crop Protection Training Project (DFPV) was established in Niger. Initially known as the Department of
Training in Crop Protection, the DFPV is now one of several projects implemented by CILSS which are designed to reinforce
national crop protection services and develop their capacity for the integrated control of food crop pests.
The DFPV was created in 1981 to meet the needs of the nine Member States of CILSS to train individuals in crop protection,
it has now developed into a leading training institute within the system and is an integral part of ClLSS's 'Training Major
Programme' based at the Agrhymet Regional Centre in the Netherlands.
The DFPV's objectives are to contribute to food self-sufficiency in the CILSS Member States through the training of crop
protection workers who are directly operational in the field and to reinforce the capacity of national crop protection services to
deal with pest problems through the training of technicians.
To meet these objectives, the DFPV runs courses to train high level crop protection technicians and trainers from agricultural
schools in the CILSS Member States. Other courses include in-country training (based on the particular needs of specific
countries); training for highly qualified individuals or groups; training workshops; and refresher courses.
The DFPV also carries out research designed to support the training programmes by developing further skills and knowledge in
subject areas related to crop protection. The research also produces educational and instructional training materials, and
generates practical and simple results that farmers can use. Emphasis is put on multidisciplinary research in order to promote an
integrated approach to crop protection at farm level. The project collaborates with national services and international
institutions such as the National
Agricultural Research Institute, the Crop Protection Directorate of Niger, the University of Niamey (Niger), ICRISAT, IITA,
PRIFAS and ORSTOM.
The information component of DFPV has now been integrated with the documentation centre of Agrhymet. It disseminates
scientific and technical information on crop protection, and carries out bibliographic searches free-of-charge. As well as a
computerized database of articles, the information centre can also provide thematic catalogues and a newsletter to help former
trainees maintain their contact with the project.
Although the Crop Protection Training Project was initially open only to those from CILSS Member States, the courses are
now offered to nationals of other countries. The number of places on the training courses, and the range of subjects covered,
are expected to increase.
DFPV
Projet de Formation en Protection des Végétaux
BP 12625 Niamey,
NIGER
Tel + 227 732 181
Fax + 227 732237